Gestational age at birth and the risk of disability pension in early adulthood: a whole-population register study of people born in Finland in 1987-90.
Preterm (<37 weeks), early-term (37-38 weeks), or post-term (42 weeks) birth may elevate the risk of mental, neurodevelopmental, and cardiopulmonary disease in adulthood, potentially impacting work capacity.
We examined the association between gestational age and early disability pension (DP) among 228 572 Finnish individuals born between 1 January 1987 and 30 September 1990. We identified the first DP decision from ages 16 to ∼32 years (2003-20) by using linked birth and DP records, including timing and diagnosis. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated by using Cox regression, with full-term birth (39-41 weeks) as the reference.
A total of 9224 individuals (4.0%) received DPs. Adjusted for sex and birth year, the HRs for DP by gestational age groups of 23-31, 32-33, 34-36, 37-38, and 42 weeks were 5.20 (4.52-5.99), 2.47 (2.04-3.00), 1.55 (1.41-1.70), 1.22 (1.16-1.29), and 1.12 (1.01-1.25). Among preterm adults, the most common diagnoses included cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, depression, and schizophrenia. For early-term and post-term adults, depression and schizophrenia were the most frequent.
Preterm, early-term, and post-term births were associated with early DPs, with slightly different diagnostic profiles. The risk was highest among those born very preterm (<32 weeks). High-quality perinatological care is crucial regarding future careers and societal costs.
We examined the association between gestational age and early disability pension (DP) among 228 572 Finnish individuals born between 1 January 1987 and 30 September 1990. We identified the first DP decision from ages 16 to ∼32 years (2003-20) by using linked birth and DP records, including timing and diagnosis. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated by using Cox regression, with full-term birth (39-41 weeks) as the reference.
A total of 9224 individuals (4.0%) received DPs. Adjusted for sex and birth year, the HRs for DP by gestational age groups of 23-31, 32-33, 34-36, 37-38, and 42 weeks were 5.20 (4.52-5.99), 2.47 (2.04-3.00), 1.55 (1.41-1.70), 1.22 (1.16-1.29), and 1.12 (1.01-1.25). Among preterm adults, the most common diagnoses included cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, depression, and schizophrenia. For early-term and post-term adults, depression and schizophrenia were the most frequent.
Preterm, early-term, and post-term births were associated with early DPs, with slightly different diagnostic profiles. The risk was highest among those born very preterm (<32 weeks). High-quality perinatological care is crucial regarding future careers and societal costs.
Authors
PĂ€ivi PĂ€ivi, Marjaana Marjaana, Suvi Suvi, Johanna Johanna, Mika Mika, Marius Marius, Katriina Katriina, Katri Katri, Leena Leena, Eero Eero
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